Permits - Works On Waterways

Over the years our waterways have declined in 'waterway health' as a result of inappropriate or inadequate works on waterways. This leads to problems including erosion of bed and banks, increased siltation, loss of habitat and barriers to fish passage.

The responsibility for waterways protection by the regulation of works on waterways has been entrusted to the North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) for the Ovens, Kiewa and Upper Murray Basins.

Specific works associated with the take and use of water from a waterway (as defined under the Water Act 1989) remain the responsibility of Goulburn Murray Water.

Designated Waterways

The North East CMA's Waterways Protection By-law No 2000/01 seeks to protect and enhance the 'health' of our rivers and protect CMA and public assets.

The By-law applies to those waterways that the North East CMA gazetted to be a designated waterway under the Water Act. A copy of the CMA's declaration of designated waterways in the North East district is available for inspection at our Wodonga office.

To undertake works or activities in, on or over a designated waterway a permit* or written authorisation from the Authority is required by law. The permit process is designed to provide common and best practice guidance for ensuring works or activities have appropriately addressed hydraulic, physical and environmental impacts on the 'health' of our important waterways. The types of works that require our approval include:

Crossings: Bridges, culverts, fords
Deviations: Creek realignments
Extractions: Sand, silt, or gravel
Stabilisation: Bank protection, battering, and retaining structures
Vegetation: Debris and vegetation removal.
Works: Stormwater outlets, drop structures, service crossings etc

*Some exemptions do apply please contact the North East CMA for further information

Application Process

Step 1. Permit applications can be obtained by contacting the North East CMA, or can be download at the bottom of this page.

Step 2. Fill in the application form providing as much detail as possible and submit this to the North East CMA with the application processing fee, this fee is currently $120.00.

Step 3. A North East CMA officer will carry out an inspection of the site as part of the application assessment. Depending on the complexity of works sometimes further information may be required by the North East CMA to assess the application and additional charges may apply.

Step 4. Subject to the application and proposed works being satisfactory the proponent may be issued with a permit.

Works on Waterways - Brochure.pdf (134 KB)

Works on Waterways - Application Form (230 KB)